Academic English for Tertiary Studies: EAP 5

WEEK 6 TUE FILE 5

SAMPLE MODELS OF CRITICAL LITERATURE REVIEW

Sample Model 1: Gundling & Wade articles

Gundling, E 1999, ‘How to communicate globally’, Training and Development, vol. 53,
no.6, pp. 28-31, viewed 16 June 2012,
http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdf?vid=3&hid=105&sid=eec260aa-19c0-4868-
b8e6-cf5aa0cc23c0%/40sessionmgr103

Wade, J 2004, ‘The Pitfalls of Cross Cultural Business’, Risk Management, vol. 51,
no. 3, pp. 38-42, viewed 16 June 2012,
http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=15&did=574079721&SrchMode=3&sid=1&F
mt=6&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1245101602&clientId
=8429&aid=1

In the 21st century the development of effective intercultural communication skills has
become an important goal of international business communication. Increasingly,
business leaders are realizing that to be successful they have to learn to deal with
cultural diversity in both domestic and international settings.

Two very different articles provide contrasting perspectives on this issue. Jared Wade,
the associate editor of Risk Management, a business journal, in his article, The Pitfalls
of Cross Cultural Business’, explores the cultural differences that can affect business
negotiations. In contrast, Ernest Gundling’s article, ‘How to communicate globally’,
published in the journal Training and Development, focuses more narrowly on the
selection of communication technology. Both articles make a useful contribution to
the understanding of cross cultural issues in business.

The main point of Wade’s article is that there are significant cultural differences which
may affect business negotiations. He argues that while different customs may lead to
embarrassment, it is more crucial for negotiators to understand the cultural
differences that affect business practice. Of particular importance is understanding
how decisions are made. He contrasts the individuality of American culture and
greater autonomy of American managers with the more consensual approach in
Germany and the more authoritarian approach in China. He also maintains that

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business people from different cultures will vary in their requirement for information
before making decisions and in the degree of formality expected in negotiations.

Whereas Wade looks broadly at issues affecting cross cultural communication in

business, Gundling has a more specific focus. He examines the use of technology in
cross cultural business relationships and argues great care should be taken in
selecting an appropriate technology. The purpose of the communication, the people
involved and the cultural context are all important considerations he maintains. He
stresses that it is important that both parties agree on the technology to be used,
particularly when using voicemail, fax and email. Finally, Gundling gives some tips for
selecting appropriate technology.

Both articles provide useful insights into the importance of intercultural

communication skills in business. Wade highlights some of the cultural
misunderstandings than can undermine business negotiations. In doing so, however,
he tends to make generalizations about cultures which may not be very accurate in
every instance. While a certain degree of generalization is useful in understanding
cultural difference, it is important to recognize that negotiations take place between
individuals not cultures and that individuals will exhibit the general traits of their
cultures to varying degrees. It would also have been better had he explained how
business people can prepare themselves for cross cultural interactions. Nevertheless,
the article does provide a good overview of the problems business people are likely to
face. In addition, it gives examples from a variety of cultures and uses sources
appropriate to a business audience.

Similar criticisms can be made of Gundling’s article. Although he provides useful tips
for selecting appropriate communication technology in the cross cultural business
context, his analysis of the problem is based on selected examples rather than solid
research. Also, like Wade, he makes assumptions about high context and low context
cultures which may not be valid in every situation.

Despite these limitations both the Wade and Gundling articles make worthwhile
contributions to our understanding of intercultural communication. In encouraging
business people to go beyond superficial cultural differences and understand the
cultural attitudes underpinning business practice, Wade’s article raises important
considerations. Equally Gundling’s article contains practical hints which business
people can apply in the work context.

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Sample Model 2: Tiddle & Brown articles

Task: Read the critical literature review below and then complete the table.

Tiddle, R 2004, ‘The great human cloning debate’, Science Today, vol. 6, no. 5, pp.
67-69.

Brown, C 2005, Why clone? God is good vol. 6, no. 4 pp. 45-46.

Cloning has become a reality in modern-day science recently, as researchers from

various countries have successfully begun to clone animals. These breakthroughs
have lead to society discussion about whether humans should be cloned. The Great
Cloning Debate by Tiddle while not stating a personal position examines the various
viewpoints of this discussion, with an informative and well-researched paper. Another
article by Brown, entitled Why Clone? argues against cloning and gives a rather
biased viewpoint of this new and expanding area of science.

Tiddle’s article examines various reports and studies throughout the article, and
entire sections at the end of each chapter are devoted to original papers from key
writers in the area. In addition, a comprehensive reading list is provided at the end of
the book. Tiddle does not directly support or oppose the cloning of human beings. In
fact, in the lengthy introduction it is stressed that the goal of the paper has been to
encourage informed debate about the issue that can no longer be ignored, thanks to
the rapid rate of technological change.

In contrast, Brown’s article seeks to persuade readers that cloning is against the word
of God and should be rejected by society. The writer cites various studies from mainly
religious groups, which seek to show that cloning in not condoned by the Bible and
will lead to great harm in society. Brown also warns of the risks of cloning historical
figures, such as Hitler and Stalin, which could, in the writer’s view, lead to further
catastrophe in the world. It is also stated that cloning is yet another method by which
large multinational companies can create more wealth, by allowing women to select
particular genes for reproductive purposed. Brown uses passages from the Bible to
endeavour to persuade the reader that pursuing the science of cloning is anti-
Christian and, therefore, not allowed.

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The Great Human Cloning Debate is an extremely useful paper for students or science
enthusiasts who want a broad overview of the controversial debate on human
cloning. The style and general layout allow for easy reference to key arguments both
for and against. Perhaps it would have been better for the writer to clearly state
his/her opinion, but for a general introduction to the area, this article would be very
useful. The comprehensive reading list can guide readers to other more detailed
articles concerning particular field of cloning and examples of current research studies
being undertaken. One weakness noticed is that there are not enough diagrams or
illustrations, so when the article tries to explain the actual process of cloning it is
sometimes difficult to follow. If there had been more colour graphics it would have
made understanding much easier.

Why Clone?, in contrast, may only provide one rather extreme view on the negative
aspects of cloning, which in fact have not been proven. It does not provide a balanced
overview of the arguments for and against cloning, and endeavours to persuade
readers that there are no benefits to cloning. The argument that multinational
companies are seeking to make money from the science of cloning may well be true;
however, the writer fails to provide any evidence to support this theory. In addition,
the claim that women will select preferred genes when having a baby is also quite
sensational, and there is little evidence to back this up. The section on cloning of
historically evil figures, such as Hitler and Stalin, is probably meant to frighten
readers into agreeing with the views of the writer, and may not particularly appeal to
the educated audiences. The article overall is rather narrow in its focus and often
sensational, even though it does represent the opinions of an important section of the
community. It would have been better, on balance, to provide more evidence to
support some arguments put forward in the article. For example, there is not citation
following the writer’s statement that “there have been many studies to date which
show that cloning is extremely dangerous for pregnant women”. As it stands, it is
rather weak in this regard.

In summary, readers wishing to gain a broad understanding of current issues

surrounding the cloning debate would be wise to read the Tiddle article, as it is easy
to access and quite comprehensive. For an insight into religious views on the cloning
debate, readers may wish to read the Brown paper, but should bear in mind that it is
rather extreme and does not provide balanced information.

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WEEK 6 TUE FILE 5 MODEL 2 OF CRITICAL LITERATURE REVIEW TABLE

Topic: Human Purpose Thesis Main idea Hypotheticals Reporting Evaluative

cloning (in critique) verbs language
Tiddle

Brown

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